Survival’s in his blood…
Rough-souled Brandr’s ready for a new life far from Uppsala, but the Viking has a final task —protect the slave, Sestra. Her life's full of hardship…until she learns the location of a treasure. With war coming, stealing the enemy's riches will save lives, but only one man can defend her —the fierce Viking scout, Brandr.
The two have always traded taunts, now they must share trust. Passions flare as secrets unfold, leading one to make a daring sacrifice on their quest To Find a Viking Treasure

~~~~~

~~

Icy water drenched her, the cold droplets prickling tender skin. Blood flowed like hot honey through her sluggish limbs. She slipped one hand under Brandr’s muddy tunic, and hard male flesh pebbled against her fingertips.

Brandr broke the kiss, his breath hitching sharply. His mouth hovered over hers as if the enthralling inch between their lips fed a deep need.

He didn’t move, save his shaky grip on her arm. “Your hand…”

His firm flesh twitched under her palm.

Was the hard-souled warrior starved for touch?

Foreheads and noses brushed as she pushed his tunic up determined to have her way. They still stood in the waterfall’s mist not caring that they mere steps from the cliff. Dirt smeared Brandr’s furrowed midline. Taking her time, she wiped it off and a weave of muscles and smooth skin clenched against her hand. Enveloped in darkness, her senses came alive, touching a ridged scar on his chest, smelling pine on his skin, the uneven cadence of his voice as he whispered her name against her lips.

A fresh grew, the want to be closer. She sought the curve of his ribs, sliding her hands to his back—

“Sestra. No.” Brandr jerked away, his voice ragged. He held her at arm’s length.

“Why…why’d you stop?”

It was all she could do to form the question. She still tasted him on her tongue when he let her go. The waterfall crashed behind her its blast matching the uproar inside her.

Brandr tugged down his tunic. “This isn’t safe.”

“Dead men don’t care that we’re kissing.”

He chuckled dryly and picked up his sword from the mud. “No,” he said, wiping the weapon clean before sheathing it across his back. “You’re soaked. Those clothes of yours need to come off.”

“Most men say that come nightfall,” she teased. “The clothes coming off part.”

He went still. “I’m not most men.”

Wet black hair fell around his face, the jaggedly cut ends grazing his jaw. Though it was nightfall, she saw Brandr clearly. The rough-hewn Viking stood like a wild beast in a rare tame moment. His tarnished silver eyes pierced her, left her tongue-tied because she put him with other men who used thralls for their pleasure.

Sestra has been a thrall, a slave, a servant all her life, and she is now a serving wench in an inn in Uppsala. She has been sold yet to another, and she will be leaving on the morrow, as will Brandr, it turns out; he to Gotland. There is much political unrest in the kingdom of Svea in the year 1022: King Olof has been driven away from the throne by his son Anund Jakob, but worse, the vile Dane Gorm is set on usurping the throne. The Viking Brandr has been having a bit of fun since the summer teasing Sestra, but unlike other patrons has not touched her. That particular night, Sestra learns that Gorm has hidden a treasure on an island, and she knows where. Getting her hands on some money could buy her the freedom she secretly years for. Brandr, who is a scout for Lord Hakan, needs that treasure to stop Gorm from making his dastardly intentions a reality. Sestra takes one step on her path to freedom: she will accompany Brandr, and he cannot refuse; time is of the essence for Uppsala.

What magnificence from the amazing Gina Conkle! I am a Scandinavian history buff, and TO FIND A VIKING TREASURE fills me with joy, awe, and complete happiness! Ms. Conkle’s incandescent, vivid, and eloquent prose brings everything, and I mean everything, for Medieval Sweden to life, down to the tiniest details with startling historical accuracy: food, clothing; TO FIND A VIKING TREASURE is a Medieval Swedish feast for the eyes and the soul. I saw every gesture, every tree, and Brandr and Sestra became real people in my mind for a few hours. The chemistry and interactions between Sestra and Brandr sizzle and sparkle, the dialogues are just perfect, and here I must praise Ms. Conkle’s lack of pretension at simulating Norse speech or peppering the text with accurate or pseudo Old Norse; she kept everything simple and it works beautifully.

TO FIND A VIKING TREASURE is a majestic tale story filled with life-threatening adventures that left me gasping, and a love of such depth that tears filled my eyes on more than one occasion. The sex scenes are honest, filled with unbridled passion and happened exactly as they should have, and Sestra and Brandr are unforgettable and splendid characters. I cannot wait for the next instalment already! TO FIND A VIKING TREASURE is a resounding success on all fronts: if you are craving to experience what historical accuracy means for a novel set in Medieval Sweden, this is your book! Mycket bra!

I received a complimentary copy of this book in exchange for an honest review.

Rating:

~~~~~

About Gina Conkle

Gina Conkle, a history nerd to the core, loves castles and museums. Her motto is “the older and moldier, the better.” When not enjoying relics, she lives in the present, dabbling in organic gardening at her home in San Diego, California. She lives with Brian, her husband and favorite alpha male, and their two boys. Visit her at www.ginaconkle.com.

Ok.. I have to ask. I have been checking out different fiction books lately and have seen some very sexy ones. Where do these fantasies emanate from? Do any men like this actually exist? I.e. are you drawing from actual experience? I apologize in advance for the off the wall question. I just really would like to know.